I am an experienced analyst, transitional justice and peace mediation researcher, practitioner and writer. I also advise organisations on advocacy, outreach strategy and organisational development, mainly in the peacebuilding/ transitional justice sector and often in complex security environments.
I have a strong background in political economy and gender analysis, drawing on original research and reaching beyond the usual circles to include marginalised voices to generate relevant and actionable recommendations for clients. I design and set up processes for development programmes to integrate high quality gender and political economy analysis across all areas of work from programme design and management to product.
I combine extensive field experience including in volatile security situations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (especially in DR Congo) and the Middle East, with rigorous academic research and a proven track record in policy advocacy. I have researched and written numerous papers and publications – some of the public ones are available here – on mediation, peacebuilding, security sector reform, and transitional justice. Women’s rights, and particularly women’s participation in economic and political life, as well as in peace and transitional justice processes, are particular interests.
I have provided technical expertise on transitional justice to confidential processes, and the National Dialogue Conference in Yemen (2013). In 2012, I worked with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Legal Team on the Amnesty Law in Madagascar as part of SADC’s mediation of that crisis.
As part of my work on EU foreign policy, I work regularly with the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO). I am also an Associate at International Alert.
I combine consultancy with academic research. I have a PhD in Political Science from the University of Ghent, Belgium, where I am a postdoctoral research associate, and I am currently a Visiting Scholar at the Transitional Justice Institute, University of Ulster.
I taught ‘Transitional Justice and Rule of Law Programming’ to postgraduates at the Brussels School of International Studies (University of Kent), where I was a visiting lecturer (2012-2013). I regularly act as a resource person or trainer on peace and justice issues – including for the Peace Mediation Course organised by swisspeace and the Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich.
I have also provided expert services to:
- The Department for International Development, UK (DFID) in Kinshasa
- The Department for International Development, UK (DFID) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
- PwCS
- Adam Smith International
- European Peacebuilding Liaison Office
- HD Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue
- Conciliation Resources
- European Council on Foreign Relations
- Swedish Embassy in Kinshasa
- International Alert
- International Center for Transitional Justice
- giz – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH
- PeaceNexus Foundation
- Life and Peace Institute
- Finn Church Aid / Kirkon Ulkomaanapu
- Mediateur: the European Forum for International Mediation and Dialogue
- Partners for Democratic Change International/Partners for Democratic Change
- Saferworld
Before becoming a consultant, I worked for the Belgian Development Agency as a justice and governance expert. Prior to that, I was at the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) in Kinshasa (DRC) and in Brussels, and Search for Common Ground. I have co-chaired the Human Rights and Democracy Network of NGOs in Brussels, and served on the Steering Committee of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office.
I work in English and French.
In 2014, I established my own consulting firm, Laura Davis Consulting bvba, registered in Belgium (company and VAT registration number BE 0560665938).